Ancistrus - bulging disease

[MrTwister]

Please help - the face is swallen and the same with the tummy...

[bekateen]

Hi MrTwister,
Welcome to PlanetCatfish (although sorry it has to be about a sick fish).

Looking at these photos, some swelling of the face is normal in male Ancistrus, but I agree this looks excessive. Likewise, your dorsal view photo of the fish (re-shared here) appears to show a bumpiness to the body that I don't think looks normal. With the eyes bulging out, I'm reminded of old-fashioned Dropsy, which, if I recall correctly is linked to poor water conditions leading to either internal bacterial infections or kidney problems.

I'm not good with recommending medications, so my best advice is to remove the fish and use the opportunity to do a really good tank cleaning (vacuuming the gravel, etc), then replace the fish and keep up the water changes.

Good luck!
Eric